how to show file extensions - vanderbilt university
TRANSCRIPT
How to Show File Extensions
You always want to see file extensions showing. By default Microsoft has them hidden. Their approach is
a serious security problem because that means you never know the file type unless you recognize the
icon. Let’s change our default so that extensions always show.
Here is the screen without extensions showing (Microsoft’s default).
If the file name is short you can actually see the extension (docx, pptx, png etc.). If the filename is large
if you click the name once it will bring up the full name with the extension.
So, how do you change the default to show the correct extension?
Go to the computer’s control panel (Start or Windows circle icon in the bottom left of the screen and
select Control Panel.
Set the icons to either Large icons or Small icons if it is not set that way. Then click Folder Options.
Click the View tab. Look for the box just to the left of “Hide extensions for known file types. Make sure
that is UNCHECKED (by default it is CHECKED). Then click Apply and OK and you should now see your file
extensions.